‘Let Me Make It A Nightmare For You Really Quick’: Raven-Symoné Explains What It’s Really Like To Host The View (And It’s Not For The Faint Of Heart)

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In the realm of entertainment, no position is effortless, but hosting a live talk show could rank among the most challenging on-screen roles. Beyond engaging with both the audience and guests, panel show hosts must forge meaningful connections with their co-hosts as well. Remarkably, previous host of The View, Raven-Symoné, has suggested that the job is not only demanding in these respects, but also significantly more stressful for a multitude of reasons.

What Did Raven-Symoné Say About Her Experience Hosting The View?

Raven-Symoné’s shows “That’s So Raven” and “Raven’s Home” may have marked her survival as a child star, but hosting “The View” seems to have left an indelible mark on her. Known for appearances in shows like “black-ish” and movies such as the “Cheetah Girls” franchise, she recently opened up about the challenges of daily hosting during an interview with fellow former child star Josh Peck on his “Good Guys” podcast. When he asked if hosting a show was still a dream for her, Raven-Symoné certainly made it clear that it’s far from easy.

Let me give you a challenging situation very soon. Firstly, imagine joining a large corporation like ABC, which is known for its numerous attorneys and heavy daily workload. … Start working there, only to discover that the focus shifts unexpectedly from discussing pop culture to navigating through the most complex political landscape imaginable – a twist that was supposed to be about pop culture discussions on air.

During June 2015 to October 2016, the “Backflip” singer shared co-hosting duties with Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Rosie O’Donnell, Candace Cameron Bure, and others on a popular ABC show. Many viewers, including myself, first tuned in when the program debuted in 1997. It was common for politics to be discussed on this show, but it might have been that Symoné wasn’t aware of this or was informed that the main focus would be lighter “pop culture” topics.

It’s common knowledge that many hosts on this specific daytime live TV show often have mixed feelings about their experiences. While it’s probably true for most jobs, what stands out is the stories we’ve heard, such as Bure saying she was promised minimal political discussions, and her experience leading to “PTSD” due to the “stress and anxiety.

Part of it, as one could surmise, stemmed from expressing her views on numerous controversial subjects. Furthermore, her age outgrowing the role in ‘Doctor Dolittle’ also contributed. She then observed:

When presenting during a live broadcast, it’s crucial to maintain a consistent viewpoint and be mindful of potential disagreements with others. You should aim to clearly express your thoughts in the limited time you have – usually 30 seconds – while ensuring your contribution makes sense and doesn’t invite unnecessary controversy on a panel discussion.

I’m not directly involved in this situation, but just contemplating the possible tension it might bring about makes me feel uneasy. It’s worth noting that “The View” has a reputation for its hosts exchanging passionate debates and heated discussions during their live broadcasts.

Beyond this aspect, they must divulge personal and profound subjects, inviting potential criticism from the audience. Topics range from their perspectives to the manner in which they articulate them, a challenge that Goldberg and her predecessor, Sherri Shepherd, have addressed. Symoné elaborated further:

I used to think it was a place where I could freely express myself without fear [laughs]. However, when there’s a camera or microphone around, it’s no longer a place where you can let your guard down, friends. You might say things that you would casually talk about in the privacy of your own home, especially since you’re on a panel with women you admire and often joke with outside of the show. But for someone like me who has always worked from a written script, it can be quite intimidating.

It’s safe to say that for someone who’s never read from a script before, this could be quite “terrifying” too! Thankfully, Raven-Symoné managed to navigate through that ordeal and now finds humor in some of her past experiences.

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2025-04-09 02:07